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© USAF
GROWING PARTNERSHIP
The maiden participation of USAF B-1B Bombers in the Cope India
exercises is testament to the evolution of Indo-U.S. defence ties
- By Atul Chandra
he sixth edition of the Cope India series of USAF inventory and is the backbone of its long-range bomber force.
training exercises between India and the An Indian MoD spokesperson said the joint exercises provided valu-
T USA featured the maiden participation able opportunity for the participants of all countries to exchange
of United States Air Force (USAF) B-1B ‘Lancer’ ideas and imbibe best practices through interactions, exchanges
strategic bombers on Indian soil. The incorpora- and combined missions.
tion of the B-1B into the training exercise marks
another instance of growing Indo-U.S. defence The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates four American military
ties. “Cope India provides a unique opportunity aircraft in the Boeing C-17, AH-64E, CH-47D and Lockheed Martin
to promote compatibility among our forces and C-130J, in addition to operating Boeing 777s, 737s in the VIP trans-
build on our collective strengths to increase our port role.
capabilities,” said Col. Biren Oberoi, Cope India
2023 U.S. Exercise Director. The Cope India series Training Together
of exercises are a long-standing U.S. Pacific Air Cope India-2023 was held in two stages, with the first stage taking
Forces-sponsored field training exercise that place at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh) and Agra. This
builds on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics phase of the exercise focussed on air mobility and involved transport
and force employment beween the USAF and aircraft and Special Forces assets from both sides, who fielded their
IAF.
C-130Js and C-17s, with the USAF operating an MC-130J as well.
This phase of the exercise included the presence of JASDF aircrew,
Growing in Scope who participated in the capacity of observers.
Cope India-2023 was held across three Indian
Air Force stations - Kalaikunda, Panagarh and The second phase of the exercises, which took place at Air Force
Agra, with the B-1Bs operating from the former. Station Kalaikunda involved the participation of USAF B-1B bomb-
The Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) par- ers, whose F-15 aircraft joined subsequently. The IAF fighters were
ticipated in the exercise by sending observers. supported by air force IL-78 aerial refuellers and AWACS aircraft.
Over the course of the two-week long exercises, Both phases of the exercise included the presence of JASDF aircrew,
the IAF fielded its Dassault Rafale F3-R, Tejas who participated in the capacity of observers. This year’s exercises
Mk-1, Sukhoi SU-30MKI, Sepecat Jaguar, C-17 were the largest Cope India exercises ever, with specific training
and C-130s, while the USAF brought F-15 Strike to increase cooperation alongside IAF airmen during the exercise.
Eagles, C-130, MC-130J, C-17 and a pair of B-1B
Lancers from Ellsworth Air Force Base, to the The Cope India series of bilateral air exercises began in 2004 as
exercises. a fighter training exercise held at Air Station Gwalior, India. It has
now has evolved to incorporate subject matter expert exchanges,
The B-1B carries the largest conventional pay- air mobility training, airdrop training and large-force exercises, in
load of guided and unguided weapons in the addition to fighter-training exercises.
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